From 2020 to 2025, the private sector accounted for the majority of growth in the region’s aerospace industry. Private aerospace firms added 49 new establishments and created 1,155 new jobs during the period. Output among private firms rose by 36%, driving a 28% increase in labor income. Employment and Occupational Profile The aerospace workforce includes federal civilian and military personnel, contract workers, and private-sector employees. Public-sector workers make up 74% of the total. Tinker AFB supports occupations in aircraft maintenance, logistics, engineering, and information technology, while the FAA Center houses roles in training, aviation safety, and systems engineering. White-collar aerospace jobs in the region are concentrated in engineering (2,507 workers), IT (715), and mathematics/statistics (542). Trade and craft occupations remain strong, with high demand projected in metal work, overhaul, and electronics maintenance . More than 2,900 high-demand job openings are forecast at Tinker AFB over fiscal years 2025 and 2026. The aerospace industry also offers some of the region’s most competitive wages, with average annual earnings approaching $87,000 , well above the regional average. This underscores the high skill level and economic value of aerospace employment. Labor income increased 48% from 2015 to 2025 – significantly outpacing overall employment growth (+24%), indicating rising wages and productivity over time. When combined with Oklahoma’s low cost of living – among the lowest in the nation – aerospace workers in the Greater OKC region enjoy exceptional real wage advantages and household purchasing power. This combination supports talent attraction and retention, particularly in high-skill occupations like engineering, IT, and advanced trades. State-Level Aerospace Markets Employment in Oklahoma’s private aerospace sector totaled nearly 19,500 wage and salary workers in 2024, ranking the state 21st among its peers. Oklahoma’s is often underestimated in national rankings that overlook public-sector employment, despite the state’s uniquely large federal aerospace workforce. When combining public and private employment, Oklahoma employed over 50,600 aerospace workers in 2024, ranking 12th nationally. Oklahoma rises from the 21st largest market when measured by private sector employment to 12th largest when public sector workers are added to the private sector labor pool. The state ranks 1st in permanent civilian Air Force employment and 4th in FAA civilian personnel.
Greater OKC Region Aerospace and Aviation - 2025
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